FARGO, N.D. – Head coach
Jennifer Lopez has announced the addition of Kris Grunwald as an assistant coach to the North Dakota State volleyball coaching staff.
Grunwald joins NDSU after spending the last three seasons as the associate head coach at Virginia. He brings 33 years of Division I experience, including two head coaching stints at UConn (2014-19) and Auburn (1998-00).
"We are so excited to welcome the addition of Kris Grunwald to the NDSU volleyball family," said Lopez. "With over 30 years of coaching experience, Kris is one of the best in the business to do it. He is a proven teacher of the game and invests in his players both on and off the court. Being able to add a coach of his caliber and having the opportunity to work alongside him is extremely exciting, as I know he will have an immediate impact on our players, program, and staff."
Prior to be being named head coach at UConn, Grunwald worked at as an assistant coach in the SEC with three different stints at Auburn (2019-20, 2011-14, 1994-2000) along with stops at Arkansas (2008-11) and Ole Miss (2002-05).
Grunwald also spent time as an assistant coach at Cornell (2020-21) and at Morehead State (2005-08) in a variety of roles. He started his coaching career at Florida State (1991-94) as an assistant coach after he finished his playing career at George Mason where he helped lead the Patriots to a 1998 Final Four appearance. The Germantown, N.Y., native was a three-time honorable mention Asics All-American and four-time first team All-EIVA selection.
Grunwald graduated from George Mason in 1991 with his bachelor's in mathematics and earned his masters in mathematics education from Florida State in 1993.
Grunwald Year-By-Year Coaching History
| Years |
School |
Position |
| 2021-24 |
Virginia |
Associate Head Coach |
| 2020-21 |
Cornell |
Assistant Coach |
| 2019-20 |
Auburn |
Assistant Coach |
| 2014-19 |
Connecticut |
Head Coach |
| 2011-14 |
Auburn |
Assistant Coach |
| 2008-11 |
Arkansas |
Assistant Coach |
| 2007-08 |
Morehead State |
Associate Head Coach |
| 2005-07 |
Morehead State |
Assistant Coach |
| 2002-05 |
Mississippi |
Assistant Coach |
| 2000-02 |
Michigan |
Compliance Services Coordinator |
| 1998-00 |
Auburn |
Head Coach |
| 1994-98 |
Auburn |
Assistant Coach |
| 1991-94 |
Florida State |
Assistant Coach |
